Knicks Fans Celebrate Historic Title as NYPD Reports Arrests, Injuries, Fires

The New York Knicks finally did it — and New York City lost its mind.

After the Knicks defeated the San Antonio Spurs in Game 5 to capture their first NBA championship since 1973, celebrations erupted across Manhattan, especially around Madison Square Garden. But what began as a long-awaited citywide release quickly gave way to disorder, injuries and arrests.

The NYPD said Sunday morning that 63 people were arrested as crowds swarmed the area around the Garden following Saturday night’s title-clinching win. Police also reported 10 injured officers, four slashings or stabbings, five damaged police vehicles and five school buses set on fire during the postgame chaos.

The most serious incident involved a 17-year-old boy who was shot in the foot while in a crowd a few blocks north of the arena. Police said the teenager was taken to a nearby hospital in a police vehicle because dense crowds made it difficult for ambulances to reach the scene. He was reported to be in stable condition.

According to PEOPLE, officials said the five school buses that were torched had been used earlier to transport fans to the Brazil vs. Morocco World Cup match at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, adding another layer of logistical chaos to a weekend already packed with major events across the region.

See videos of the chaos posted on social media:

The New York Knicks are WORLD CHAMPIONS and 7th Avenue is officially the center of the basketball universe. 🌎🏆 pic.twitter.com/gSmdnsYtUE

— ESPN New York (@ESPNNewYork) June 14, 2026

Brooklyn 🔥 pic.twitter.com/aYsqNDl6WY

— Wu Tang is for the Children (@WUTangKids) June 14, 2026

Knicks fans set a school bus on FIRE 😳 pic.twitter.com/ITBYQ2hPLD

— BrickCenter (@BrickCenter_) June 14, 2026

WATCH: Chaotic scenes from Knicks fans during Game 4 outside of the CANCELED Knicks Watch Party near Madison Square Garden #knicks #kg4 #nyc #msg pic.twitter.com/TP4mWxxo45

— Oliya Scootercaster 🛴 (@ScooterCasterNY) June 11, 2026

PART 3:,I witnessed the highest highs and lowest lows of New York in the same night. A city united in celebration… and moments later, random fights, fireworks aimed at police, and chaos outside Madison Square Garden. Passion is part of being a fan. Losing control shouldn’t be.… pic.twitter.com/EUQpNBU5qJ

— THEMIDNIGHT123 (@Midnight123wooo) June 14, 2026

The scenes outside MSG were an ugly postscript to one of the biggest sports moments New York has seen in decades. The Knicks’ title ended a 53-year championship drought and instantly set off plans for a massive civic celebration. Mayor Zohran Mamdani posted early Sunday that the team’s championship parade will take place Thursday in Manhattan, later reported as a ticker-tape parade beginning near Battery Park and moving up Broadway through the Canyon of Heroes toward City Hall.